ATO help

[Russelm]

Hey reefers,
Purchasing a ATO tonight just found out I have to leave for two weeks. I am favoring the hydor ATO since it's simple and there are no moving part don't want to spend a ton of money. Thanks guys

 

[Shep]

I had that one for a long time and I had no issues with it, will anyone be checking up on the tank?

 

[Russelm]

No my tank is pretty automated besides the water. I have left it for two weeks before I am just tired of the water parameters being out of whack. I feel like I am doing a disservice to my fish.

 

[Shep]

Just make sure you have a lot of water for the ATO to use, wouldn't want the pump to burn out!

 

[Russelm]

Can you recommend a pump or will a cheap one do?

 

[AllSignsPointToFish]

Just get a 5 watt 120vac pump off of Amazon. That should work fine.

However, I have not had good luck with the Hydor unit. After working flawlessly for about 8 months, the sensor failed and always showed the minimum level even when the water was actually below it. I had Hydor send me a warranty replacement, but that unit never worked right from the beginning. It would beep for no reason even when the water level is perfect, and other times it would not calibrate properly after being reset. I currently have another call in to Hydor...We'll see what happens.

 

[Shep]

How large is the tank?

 

[pugcrush]

When are you leaving? Tunze osmolator is awesome. It's on sale at some places for the holiday weekend. Nothing against the hydor, but there's a lot of osmolator users. Just bought a 3rd for my next tank.

 

[Russelm]

60 gallons

 

[Desmond]

I use the Tunze osmalator. It is a brilliant and reliable piece of equipment. Also it has a feature that if for some reson the float was to get stuck it shuts the pump off after 3 minutes in my case. Value for money peace of mind and quality lasts.

 

[reefaland310]

How much water has to evaporate before the Tunze kicks on. Like 4 ounces of evaporated water or like 16 ounces or like a half a gallon?

 

[Desmond]

It depends o the placement where it is and the water area. In my sump its less than a litre and it starts off.

 

[Chefbill]

My advice would be not to add anything to your tank before you leave on vacation. You never know what could happen. Stray voltage, stuck sensors, lines coming loose, you could come back to a nightmare

 

[Sgt Jonny]

This is the one I have and really love it!!! I hope it helps.

 

[MaddyP]

This is the one I have and really love it!!! I hope it helps.

I'd have to agree, this is a great ATO. I have used it on tanks from 5 gallons up to 50 gallons.

 

[Russelm]

Thanks for all the help guys. I settled on the hydor due to simplicity. No bad reviews so I went for it. Have it running and it works great. Put it thru the paces before I left. 13 days left till I return fingers crossed.

 

[Russelm]

Hey guys finally made it back from my trip. With the new hydor ATO, filter socks removed protein skimmer off and just running my refuge opposite my display light I did all right. All my fish are still alive maybe a little skinny but still swimming, star polyps are out and my purple hornets are doing well. I did have two losses my Xenia and which I'm not to mad about and my BTA which is sad but almost expected